The Original Nature of All Things

"Oh, good man! The nature of all things is originally All-Void. Why? Because we cannot hold the nature of all things in our hands. Oh, good man! The nature of matter cannot be held in our hands. What is the nature of matter? Matter is not earth, water, fire, or wind. And yet, it is not separated from the nature of earth, water, fire, and wind. It is not blue, yellow, red or white. And yet, it is not separated from the color aspect of blue, yellow, red or white. It is not 'is'; it is not 'is-not'. How can we say that matter has its own nature?

As its nature is impossible to catch hold, we say 'all-void'. It's the same with all things. As there is similarity and continuity, the common mortals observe, and say that the nature of all things is not 'all-void'. The Bodhisattva performs the five things. So, he sees that the original nature of all things is 'all-silence'. Oh, good man! If there is any Shramana, or Brahmin who sees that the nature of all things is not 'all-void', know that such a person is not Shramana, nor Brahmin. Such a person can not practice Prajnaparamita, and attain the Great Nirvana. It can not see all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas face to face; it is kindred of Mara. Oh, good man! The nature of all things is originally All-Void. And when the Bodhisattva practices the All-Void, he sees the All-Void of all things."


Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 32, on the Bodhisattva Highly-Virtuous King 6.

original nature of all things.mp3